Northerly, naturally

Talking design for isle’s 91 acres, where planes once flew

11/11/2009 10:00 PM

By MICAH MAIDENBERG
Editor

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This concept for Northerly envisions new islands built into Lake Michigan.

Gia Biagi, the director of planning and development at the Chicago Park District, called Northerly Island’s current layout a “quick and dirty plan” articulated for the 91-acre space after Meigs Field was demolished on orders of the mayor in 2003. The park reopened in 2004.

What comes next on the island could be more grandiose.

On Tuesday night, park district planners and its contractors shopped four different concepts for a future iteration of Northerly, culling feedback from hundreds of residents in a three-hour session downtown.

The additions contemplated in the designs range from the natural (like dunes, berms, trees; one idea calls for a river running through the island. In another, there are a series of new barrier islands in Lake Michigan) to the athletic (beaches, a canoe and kayaking course) to the cultural (a Great Lakes research institute, an amphitheater, a nature center).

Jeanne Gang, principal at Studio Gang Architects, one of the firms working on the designs, said a video message played at the beginning of the night that past input about Northerly indicated a preference for a natural space that wasn’t thronging all the time.

“People wanted to see this as this ecologically rich and diverse space — not a Millennium Park that’s super busy all throughout it,” Gang said. “Because it’s so close to the water and further away from the city, it’s a place where you can actually find some solitude.”

Each of the four designs took inspiration from a particular theme — Clocks, Reefs, Viewfinder and Chicago. The latter has the name of the city carved out by natural features on the eastern edge of the island, seen by airplane passengers.

Zvez Kubat, a park district spokesperson, said the cost of the project will depend on the final design, as will a timeline for construction. Outside partners could be enlisted to help pay for the development, she said.

The future of several pieces of current infrastructure on the island remain unclear. Preservationists have called for maintaining the Meigs Terminal Building as a remnant of the demolished airfield and a testament to mid-century architecture. The building could be preserved or stripped of its exterior, according to planners. Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation, a group that repairs injured animals and birds, currently locates in the building.

The Charter One Pavilion, a concert venue, may stay or go as well. Charter One hosts three to four shows a week between June and September, throwing off $1 million annually for the park district.

Before breaking into smaller groups to discuss the island and the four designs with planners, Gregg Calpino, a principal with JJR, the firm contracted to direct the planning asked participants to think holistically about the island, from habitats to roads, to viewsheds and utilities.

At the tables, residents debated whether there needed to be a bridge from the lakefront trail to the middle of Northerly Island; all four designs included one. Currently the park is accessed via Solidarity Drive on the north. People talked about whether a music venue should remain. Others had questions about parking and access to the site.

Paula Gonzalez, who lives in the New Eastside area north of Randolph, agreed with the idea of a natural Northerly Island.

“I kind of like what we have now with the bird sanctuary and wildlife and wildflowers,” she said. “Something similar to that would be good — something peaceful.”

Others attended the event with specific concerns in mind.

“I just wanted to make sure our interests were considered when developing this park,” said Paul Redzimski, who lives in Andersonville and is part of a kayak club.

Glenn Gabanski, a bird watcher who owns a condo in the South Loop, however, didn’t think kayaking and canoe stations would contribute to the natural theme. He’d keep the site akin to its current environment.

Connie Girard, who lives on the North Side, took copious notes during the meeting, filling out two of the feedback sheets planners distributed.

She worries redeveloping the park could bring about “two Navy Piers” and doesn’t want Northerly Island to get too busy or overdeveloped. Girard called the idea of carving Chicago into the natural features tacky, akin to something in the Wisconsin Dells.

Girard likes Northerly’s current setup: “The serenity — you can’t get that everywhere you go in the city.”

Had Chicago been awarded the right to host the 2016 Olympic Games, Northerly Island was slated for volleyball, boating, canoeing and kayaking.

Tuesday’s meeting was sponsored by the Grant Park Advisory Council and the park district.

Contact: mmaidenberg@chicagojournal.com


2 Comments - Add Your Comment



By Daniel from South Loop
Posted: 11/26/2009 11:19 AM

Where are the renderings and when is the next meeting?


By Solo from Motor Row
Posted: 11/20/2009 3:20 PM

Whatever they decide.. they NEED TO ADD A BRIDGE near 18th.